Candidate Profile-Joyce M. Broadsword
Birth date: June 18, 1958
Profession: Small business owner
Educational background: Graduate Sandpoint High School
Public service (elected or appointed offices): Senator Dist. 2
Community service (service clubs, nonprofit boards, etc.): Idaho Rural Partnership Board, Idaho Women in Timber, Historic Wallace Chamber, Ponderay Community Development Corp.
How many years as a resident of your city: lifelong resident of Bonner County
Marital status: Married 30 years
Family: 3 grown sons, 3 grandchildren
Hobbies: gardening, reading, boating, fishing
Why are you running for office?
As state senator I have worked to create new jobs, keep taxes low and limit government regulation. There is more work to do and I feel obligated to complete the job I have begun. The people of this area deserve the best representation they can get and I feel I am the person for the job.
What do you see as the three biggest issues you’ll face?
a. While it was necessary to cut budgets the past 2 years, I believe there will be issues that will arise out of the funding reductions especially in Health and Welfare. Determining the correct amount to fund those programs will be a challenge, if it is too low, we run up higher costs in hospital visits and (in the case of mental health) we could increase the number in the corrections system.
b. The EPA is proposing to amend the Record of Decision for the CDA Basin Superfund Cleanup by taking it from a $350 million program to as much as a $2.2 billion program. Idaho is responsible for 10 percent of those costs, so making sure any amendments are in the best interest of the communities involved and the State of Idaho will be incredibly important.
c. The recent actions of the Federal Government regarding health care and talk of increased taxes are of great concern, it will be necessary for Idaho to come up with a plan to assure Idaho has a say while assuring our citizens continue to have the freedoms they deserve and are not overburdened with federal taxes.
If elected, what steps will you take to resolve these issues?
a. New rules will have been put in place in order for the Department to reach the reductions necessary to balance the budget. It’s my job as Vice Chairman of the Senate Health and Welfare Committee, to make sure those rules are still needed, fair and necessary. As the JFAC lead on Health and Welfare, I will look carefully at those budgets with the goal of preventing future problems.
b. I began the process this session of assuring Idaho’s taxpayers will not be under any higher future financial obligations in the Superfund when I wrote SCR 127. I will push for a review by the legislature of any amendment requests before Idaho would consider concurring in an amendment to the ROD.
c. We made a good start at protecting our citizen’s with the passage of H391 the Health Care Freedom Act and HCR 64 asking Congress to limit federal powers under the 10th Amendment. We will need to continue to be vigilant and pass legislation as necessary to protect Idahoans.
What specific skills or experience qualify you for this job?
With 6 years in this office under my belt, I have developed the key contacts necessary to move our issues forward. My good working relationship with local leaders, senate leadership, our constitutional officers and agency heads will assure I am in a position to do what needs to be done for our area. My history, experience and seniority make me uniquely qualified to represent north Idaho.
Why should voters elect you, rather than an opponent?
My experience, responsibility, accountability and a solid voting record make me the best candidate. As a native of north Idaho and a small business owner I understand the issues and what it takes to live and work here. I have worked to keep regulations manageable while assuring consumer protection.